Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Unique challenges of innovation in enterprises
Summary
So many companies want to innovate in order to find new business models. But what happens when your company already has a business model? How do you disrupt your business model without destroying your business? Why would you even bother? Innovating inside an already successful company requires a new set of tools for overcoming internal resistance, not losing your current customer base, and knowing when to give up existing revenue streams. In this talk, Laura Klein, author of “Build Better Products” and “UX for Lean Startups” shares some tips for companies who want to find new business models before the old ones stop working.
Key Insights
-
•
Big companies want innovation but often resist necessary internal organizational changes.
-
•
Startups embrace uncertainty by 'jumping off the cliff,' whereas enterprises try to innovate mid-flight, making change more complex.
-
•
Stakeholders with vested interests in the status quo, such as skilled employees and departments, commonly resist innovation efforts.
-
•
Legal, HR, procurement, and marketing teams in large companies pose unique bureaucratic challenges to innovation not found in startups.
-
•
Securing dedicated, well-managed funding tied to reasonable learning milestones is critical for sustaining innovation in enterprises.
-
•
Executive-level buy-in, especially from the CEO, is essential to provide protection and resources for innovation efforts.
-
•
Big companies crave certainty, often requesting unrealistic plans like Gantt charts, which don’t align with the exploratory nature of innovation.
-
•
Involving all stakeholders early—including those likely to resist—reduces pushback and helps shape better solutions.
-
•
Incentive structures in large organizations often conflict with the risk-taking and uncertainty inherent in innovation.
-
•
Cultural resistance is rooted in people's identity and proven methods, not hatred for innovation; diplomacy and empathy are crucial.
Notable Quotes
"You are not the first person to try something like this, and they’re typically not looking forward to the next transformation."
"Nobody loves it when someone from another department shows up to tell people how to do their jobs better."
"Large companies demand certainty, but certainty is the opposite of innovation."
"Innovation is very much a team sport."
"Please don’t chop off that engine until the new one is built because you are not the only one on this plane."
"Lawyers, though nervous, can become some of the most reasonable people you deal with if you explain risks clearly."
"The incentive structure at a big company is set up to reward people for entirely different stuff than innovation requires."
"If you think innovation can happen without buy-in from the CEO, I would love to see that; I have not seen it work."
"People don’t actually hate innovation; they like their jobs and feel threatened by change."
"When things start to go bad, we’re going to pull the plug on it immediately—that helps build trust."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"We started to see children and teenagers as users, not just audiences."
Sofía Delsordo Kassim VeraPublic Policy for Jalisco's Designers to Make Design Matter
December 8, 2021
"We are like three legs of a chair: product, engineer, and UX all contribute to stability."
Product and Design at Bloomberg: A 15-year Evolution
December 6, 2022
"I want to encourage excitement about research and gradually mold people into better researchers."
Liza Pemstein Jane DavisScaling Research Via an Ops First Model at Clever
March 27, 2023
"It’s important to reflect on our work and careers to shape what comes next."
Kara KaneTheme One Intro
November 16, 2022
"Many organizations silo data inputs and prioritize within categories before combining results."
Mark Interrante Harry MaxAI for Prioritization (3rd of 3 seminars)
July 11, 2024
"Multiple payment providers aren’t just a feature; they’re an accessibility lifeline for people who can’t read or reach their credit card easily."
Sam ProulxOnline Shopping: Designing an Accessible Experience
October 3, 2023
"UX really doesn’t have a seat at the table yet and that has some implications for us."
Rich MironovHow Can Product Managers and UXers Help Each Other (and Why are Product Folks so Annoying Sometimes)?
December 6, 2022
"Why the hell would you wanna move the furniture?—Gropius on design arrogance."
Juhan SoninDesign Now! The Agenda for Action
September 4, 2025
"Women’s empowerment is often glorified but doesn’t necessarily meet their needs beneath the surface."
Mansi GuptaDrawing from Feminist Practice to Make Inclusive Design Operational
September 9, 2022
